Processes for coating of objects

Abstract

Processes are disclosed for the coating of objects with a coating composition. The processes include positioning the objects on a continuous belt comprising a supporting member positioned to retain the object thereon, conveying the continuous belt with a drive member such that the continuous belt passes through both a coating unit and a drying unit, coating the objects on the continuous belt with the coating composition, and drying the objects on the continuous belt.

1. A process for coating objects with a coating composition, comprising:
 positioning the objects on a continuous belt comprising a supporting member positioned to retain the object thereon, wherein the supporting member comprises a plurality of blade members, each blade member comprising a pivotable portion and slotted portion, each portion configured to receive a coupling device for operative movement of the continuous belt, wherein at least one of blade members is formed of an electrically conductive material; 
 conveying the continuous belt with a drive member such that the continuous belt passes through both a coating unit and a drying unit; 
 coating the objects on the continuous belt with the coating composition; and 
 curing the objects on the continuous belt. 
 
     
     
       2. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting member comprises at least one saw blade member comprising a plurality of saw teeth arranged to contact the objects. 
     
     
       3. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting member comprises a plurality of blade members arranged to retain the objects thereon. 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling device is an elongated pin. 
     
     
       5. The process of  claim 1 , further comprising pretreating the objects prior to the coating step. 
     
     
       6. The process of  claim 5 , wherein the pretreating step comprises applying a phosphate-based pretreatment coating. 
     
     
       7. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the coating composition comprises an electrodepositable coating composition comprising an active hydrogen group-containing ionic resin and a curing agent comprising functional groups reactive with the active hydrogens of the ionic resin. 
     
     
       8. The process of  claim 7 , wherein the ionic resin comprises a cationic resin. 
     
     
       9. The process of  claim 7 , wherein the coating composition comprises:
 (a) a first component comprising the active hydrogen-containing ionic resin and the curing agent and 
 (b) a second component comprising a pigment. 
 
     
     
       10. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the coating step comprises electrophoretic coating. 
     
     
       11. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the slotted portion is configured as one of an open or closed notch that allows lateral movement of the blade members to freely expand or contract. 
     
     
       12. A process for the electrophoretic application of an aqueous electrodepositable coating composition to objects on a continuous belt comprising a supporting member positioned to retain the objects thereon, the process comprising:
 feeding the objects on the continuous belt; 
 positioning the objects on the continuous belt, wherein the supporting member comprises a plurality of blade members comprising a plurality of saw teeth arranged to contact the objects, each blade member comprising a pivotable portion and slotted portion, each portion configured to receive a coupling device for operative movement of the continuous belt; 
 conveying the continuous belt with a drive member such that the continuous belt passes through both a coating unit and a drying unit, the continuous belt pivotably changing the direction of travel through the coating unit; 
 electrophoretically coating the objects on the continuous belt with the aqueous electrodepositable coating composition; and 
 curing the objects on the continuous belt. 
 
     
     
       13. The process of  claim 12 , further comprising pretreating the objects prior to the coating step. 
     
     
       14. The process of  claim 13 , wherein the pretreating step comprises applying a phosphate-based pretreatment coating. 
     
     
       15. The process of  claim 12 , wherein the electrode positable coating composition comprises an active hydrogen group-containing ionic resin and a curing agent comprising functional groups reactive with the active hydrogens of the ionic resin. 
     
     
       16. The process of  claim 15 , wherein the coating composition comprises:
 (a) a first component comprising the active hydrogen-containing ionic resin and the curing agent and 
 (b) a second component comprising a pigment. 
 
     
     
       17. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting member is in the form of a plurality of individual segments configured for independent movement through the process. 
     
     
       18. The process of  claim 12 , wherein the blade member is formed of an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
       19. A process for coating objects with a coating composition, comprising:
 positioning the objects on a continuous belt comprising a supporting member positioned to retain the objects thereon, the supporting member being in the form of a plurality of individual segments configured for independent movement through the process and to pivotably change the direction of travel, the supporting member comprising a plurality of blade members, each blade member comprising a pivotable portion and slotted portion, each portion configured to receive a coupling device for operative movement of the continuous belt, wherein the blade member is formed of an electrically conductive material; 
 conveying the continuous belt with a drive member such that the continuous belt passes through both a coating unit and a drying unit; 
 coating the objects on the continuous belt with the coating composition; and 
 curing the objects on the continuous belt.